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Scholarships and College Grants for Nurse Practitioner Students

Are you interested in working in advanced nursing positions? Consider becoming a nurse practitioners. To become a nurse practitioner, you need at least a master’s degree, and starting in the coming years, nurse practitioners will need a doctorate to work in this field. If you’re interested in this type of position, scholarships and grants can help you earn your advanced degree for little to no out-of-pocket cost.

Scholarship and Grant Sources

The most common place to find scholarships and grants for nurse practitioners is directly from colleges. Most colleges have programs for their students, and all you have to do to be awarded this money is apply (and, in some cases, maintain a high GPA). Government departments also often offer scholarships and grants to nurse practitioner students, as do outside organizations. Funds for nurse practitioners vary from year to year, but some of the places offering them in the past include the following:

Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses Foundation

American College of Nurse Practitioners

MidAtlantic Cardiovascular Foundation

National American Arab Nurses Association

National Black Nurses Association

National Health Service Corps

Saint John Foundation

US Medical Supplies

Keep in mind that you can also find scholarships and grants that are non-specific to nurse. That is, they are open to all students pursuing graduate degrees, regardless of field of study. These general scholarships and grants are typically more competitive.

Which is Better – Scholarships or Grants?

While both scholarships and grants are great forms of financial aid, since they don’t have to be repaid after you graduate, these types of funds are different, and knowing the differences can help you determine which make more sense for you. Scholarships are typically given based on merit. At the graduate degree level, they’re often called fellowships and available to students who commit to being a teaching assistant, research assistant, or other benefit to the college. Grants, on the other hand, are given based on financial need. There may be other criteria as well, but many grants don’t require you to have perfect grants or special talents – just a financial need.

In addition to scholarships and grants, you may also be eligible for a special kind of assistant known as nursing education loan forgiveness. This government program will pay for some of your student loans after you graduate if you commit to working for at least two years in a high-need area.

South University – The MSN at South University is an excellent program that enhances the knowledge of registered nurses. The program allows nurses to pursue their education goals while continuing their career and meeting personal and family responsibilities through their flexible programs. The curriculum in this program develops clinical teaching skills and utilizes modern research in the nursing field.

Grand Canyon University – The MSN in Nurse Education program at Grand Canyon University provides students with the educational knowledge and experience to prepare them for an advanced nursing profession focusing on training techniques and modern theory. You can also earn an MSN/MBA dual degree in leadership that will give you the opportunity to develop cross function management skills critical for advancement in nursing positions.

Georgetown University – Online MS in nursing degree graduates from Georgetown University's School of Nursing and Health Studies will exit the competitive, highly-ranked and established program not only with their advanced degree, but as champions for their patients and the advancement of the nursing field across the board. Specializations are available in family nursing and nurse midwifery/women's health.

Chamberlain College of Nursing – If you are interested in becoming a nurse practitioner or you wish to pursue leadership roles within Nursing, the Chamberlain College of Nursing offers an MSN degree you can earn online. The program can help you prepare for advanced positions that require more focused study. This program can be completed in two years.